Mackenzie MatthewsCOUN 71

Heather KellyThursday March 20th, 2014

Marijuana has been used as an agent for achieving euphoria since ancient times; it was described in a Chinese medical form from 2737 B.C.

Euphoria is the feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness.

It has also been used as a medical herb. Example: treating cancer patients and helping the pain.

Its use spread from China to India and then to N Africa and reached Europe at least as early as A.D. 500 (History of Marijuana Use, Para. 1).

Youth marijuana use is widespread and can be associated with serious problems

46% of 12th graders have never used Among youth, associated problems include: – School failure, dropout – Poorer memory, attention, IQ – Other risk behavior – Justice system involvement – Mental health problems – Abuse and dependence

(Bailey, A. Pg. 10).

Protective Factors:

Individual Characteristics• High Intelligence• Resilient Temperament• Competencies and Skills

In social domains of family, school, peer group and community• Prosocial Opportunities• Reinforcement for Prosocial Involvement• Bonding (connectedness, attachment)• Clear and Healthy Standards for Behavior

Some history: THC, is the main active chemical in marijuana. When smoked, THC quickly passes through the lungs and into the bloodstream, thus carrying it to various organs -- including the brain – where the bulk of cannabinoid receptors reside.

Twenty years later, scientists identified the sites in the brain and body where marijuana acts and called them cannabinoid (CB) receptors.

A receptor is outside the surface of a cell receiving signals. The EC system is found in many areas of the brain, which explains

why it affects so many different body functions. Cannabinoids exert their influence by regulating how cells communicate—how they send, receive, or process messages. The cannabinoids will then slow down communication between cells (The Science of Marijuana, Para 3-6).

(The Science of Marijuana, 2011).

Psychological:The brain craves the drug of choice despite the negative consequences.Denial is a huge part of any addiction. It’s just a bit easier to deny with pot than with other “more dangerous” drugs.

(Archer, Para.15).

Physical:Anxiety, mood swings and depression. Irritability and physical tension

Marijuana withdrawal symptoms do not appear to be as pronounced as those seen with other drugs.

The psychiatric diagnoses, cannabis abuse and cannabis dependence, in DSM-IV-TR were replaced by one diagnosis, cannabis use disorder, in DSM-5 [4].

“The clinical features and diagnosis of cannabis use disorder in adults are reviewed here. Other issues related to cannabis use disorder are discussed separately. Treatment of medical conditions such as chemotherapy-induced emesis and cancer pain with cannabinoids are discussed separately”(Cannabis Use Disorder, Para. 3).

DSM stands for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

It is a book that has a variety of purposes with psychiatric disorders, codes and information on the prevalence of each disorder and criteria.

-Paraphernalia BongsPapersPipesGrinders etc-Increased appetite-Red Eyes-Poor time sense-Dry mouth-Coordination-Slow reaction-Giggling(Signs of Smoking Marijuana, Para. 2).

Marijuana use during pregnancy places a pregnancy at two times increased risk for stillbirth:

This means that there can be the death of a fetus at or after 20 weeks of gestation.

“This was a huge study across 59 hospitals nationwide. All women in the study had a blood test for cotinine—a breakdown product of nicotine—and the fetal umbilical cords were tested for several types of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription painkillers, and marijuana. The women also answered a survey regarding their drug use patterns during pregnancy. Based on all these data, women who smoked marijuana were 2.3 times more likely to have a stillbirth than women who did not smoke marijuana during pregnancy” (Psychology Today, Para. 2).

“In addition to fertility issues, marijuana has been linked in some studies to children's low birth weight, behavioral problems, poor growth, physical abnormalities, lower IQ, and difficulty with language comprehension and memory. One study, conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota and published in May 1989 in the journal Cancer, found that exposing a fetus to marijuana increased a child's risk of getting leukemia. So at a time when women are urged to avoid certain legal substances like antihistamines or caffeine, it is no wonder that many are encouraged to add marijuana to their list of pregnancy no-nos” (Medicine Net, Para. 15).

Medical marijuana has been used to treat symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS. Marijuana has been known to help reduce the following HIV symptoms:

Nausea Appetite – It will help increase appetite. Nerve Pain – Marijuana helps with side effects. Depression Sleeping – Drowsiness is a known side effect of

marijuana. HIV patients have a hard time sleeping due to pain so this helps with a good night sleep. (Medical Marijuana, 2014).

“Many individuals tend to discontinue their cannabis use after one or two experiments; others use it occasionally or during a limited period of time. Of those aged 15-64 who have ever used cannabis, 70 % have not done so during the last year” (Cannabis, 2011).

Cannabis use is much higher in certain people. For example those who attend music shows, night clubs etc. are much more likely to use marijuana.

“Route of Admin: Marijuana is usually smoked as a cigarette (‘joint’) or in a pipe or bong. Marijuana is also orally ingested” (Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheet, Para. 7).

It has been known for some to orally ingest marijuana and mix it with other food. Example: making ‘weed’ brownies.

The high feeling will usually last around 3-4 hours where you then begin to ‘burn out’ and are in need of smoking more to get the same affect.

A majority of THC is excreted via the feces (~65%) with approximately 30% of the THC being eliminated in the urine (Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheet, Para. 9).

THC will enter the brain and it will think it is a reward system and give off the feeling of being high. It will make an individual feel euphoric.

“THC activates the reward system in the same way that nearly all drugs of abuse do: by stimulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine” (National Institute of Drug Abuse).

Relaxation is another impact on the brain from the THC. “Other effects, which vary dramatically among different users, include

heightened sensory perception (e.g., brighter colors), laughter, altered perception of time, and increased appetite. After a while, the euphoria subsides, and the user may feel sleepy or depressed”(National Institute of Drug Abuse).

THC also affects balance and coordination when marijuana is taken. “parts of the brain that regulate balance, posture, coordination, and reaction time. Therefore, learning, doing complicated tasks, participating in athletics, and driving are also affected” (National Institute of Drug Abuse).

“If you use cannabis and have a family background of mental illness, such as schizophrenia, you may be at increased risk of developing a psychotic illness”(The Dangers of Cannabis, 2014).

Pot withdrawal symptoms are more common in heavy, chronic users such as mixing different drugs. It is commonly thought pot withdrawal symptoms generally appear 1-2 days after cessation of marijuana to 7-14 days after. Weed withdrawal symptoms are at their most severe 3 days into abstinence (Healthy Place, Para 2).

Withdrawal can be different depending on the person but some common withdrawals include:

-Anger-Anxiety-Decreased appetite -Sleep Difficulty-Depression(Healthy Place, Para. 2).

“Drug Class: Cannabis/ Marijuana: spectrum of behavioral effects is unique, preventing classification of the drug as a stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or hallucinogen. Dronabinol: appetite stimulant, antiemetic” (Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheet, Para. 4).

A stimulant - a substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body.

Mary Jane produce ganja pot weed toke dope grass hash blunt

After smoking marijuana, the effects are felt within minutes and it peaks usually at 10-30 minutes of smoking.

For typical marijuana smokers, the high usually lasts for two hours.

“Most behavioral and physiological effects return to baseline levels within 3-5 hours after drug use, although some investigators have demonstrated residual effects in specific behaviors up to 24 hours, such as complex divided attention tasks” (Drug and Performance Human Fact Sheets, Para. 18).

When a temporary over dose is in place, this is called ‘greening out’.

An overdoes on marijuana will not cause a death but it can happen more often to people who have never smoked marijuana before.

“The following are the symptoms of too much marijuana in the system:

Paranoia Shortness of breath Pupil Dilation Vomiting Hallucinations Hangover”

(New Health Guide, Para. 2).

“A fatal marijuana overdose in humans would take 40,000 times the amount of THC that it took to get them high in the first place. In comparison, it would only take 5 to 10 times the amount of alcohol to get drunk to kill a human. If you can get drunk on 3 beers, then 15 to 30 beers can cause death. If you inhale 3 puffs of marijuana smoke and get high, then you would have to take 120,000 puffs of marijuana smoke to be fatal” (New Health Guide, Para 2).

FourCast – “Fourcast is a community addiction treatment agency offering professional counselling services for anyone concerned about substance use or problem gambling, whether it is for them or someone they care about” (Fourcast).

Fourcast is free and confidential when on OW.

Some programs involved with Fourcast include:

Back on Track

Community Education & Professional Training

Ontario Works – Addiction Services Initiative

Umbrellas: Services for Pregnant and/or Parenting Women

Problem Gambling

Community Withdrawal Management

Individual and Group Counselling

Addiction Supportive Housing

“Fourcast’s substance use and problem gambling services are funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care” (Fourcast).

No limit to appointments.

130 Hunter Street West, Unit 200Peterborough, ON K9H 2K8View Map

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

“The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world's leading research centres in the area of addiction and mental health. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues” (CAMH, 2014).

CAMH had a wide variety of clinical programs, support and rehabilitation.

Mississauga is the closest.

“CAMH's Addiction Program offers specialized treatment options to meet the unique needs of all CAMH clients with drug, alcohol, gambling or other addiction issues. Taking into consideration the different treatment needs of the communities we serve, the Addictions Program offers a range of services to meet those needs” (CAMH, 2014).

Archer, D. (2012, May 5). Is Marijuana Addictive?. Psychology Today. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/reading-between-the-headlines/201205/is-marijuana-addictive

Brannon, C. (2013, August 16). Signs of Someone Smoking Marijuana. LIVESTRONG.COM. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/239720-signs-of-someone-smoking-marijuana/

Chasnoff, I. (n.d.). Aristotle's Child. Marijuana Use in Pregnancy: Implications for State Laws. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/aristotles-child/201401/marijuana-use-in-pregnancy-implications-state-laws

Marijuana. (n.d.). Infoplease. Retrieved March 16, 2014, from http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/marijuana-history-marijuana-use.html

Marijuana Dependence. Signs of Marijuana Use Vs. Abuse, Tolerance. (n.d.). Marijuana Dependence – Effects of Marijuana Abuse – Marijuana Addiction Treatment. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.dependency.net/learn/marijuana/

The Science of Marijuana: How THC Affects the Brain. (n.d.). Heads Up for Students. Retrieved March 16, 2014, from http://headsup.scholastic.com/articles/the-science-of-marijuana

Cannabis / Marijuana ( D 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC). (n.d.). Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheet. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/researc

Cannabis. (2011, November 15). EMCDDA. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/online/annual-report/2011/cannabis/3

Dupont, R., Bailey, J., & Teitelbaum, S. (n.d.). Cannabis use disorder: Clinical features and diagnosis. Up To Date. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.uptodate.com/contents/cannabis-use-disorder-clinical-features-and-diagnosis

Marijuana. (n.d.). How does marijuana use affect your brain and body?. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-abuse/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-your-brain-body

Marijuana Withdrawal and Managing Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms. (n.d.). Healthy Place. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/marijuana-addiction/marijuana-withdrawal-and-managing-marijuana-withdrawal-symptoms/

New Health Guide. (n.d.). Can You Overdose On Marijuana?. Retrieved March 16, 2014, from http://www.newhealthguide.org/Can-You-Overdose-On-Marijuana.html

Sanchez, K. (2001, February 19). Marijuana and Pregnancy on MedicineNet.com. MedicineNet. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51663

The Dangers of Cannabis. (n.d.). NHS Choices. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/drugs/Pages/Cannabisdangers.aspx

HIV/AIDS. (n.d). Medical Marijuana. Retrieved March 20th, 2014, from http://medicalmarijuana.ca/learning-center/conditions/hive-aids

http://sdrg.org/presentations/ADAI_Bailey.pdf